Rains batter parts of Luzon as Habagat strengthens

Several parts of Luzon on Friday were battered by heavy rains brought by the enhanced Southwest Monsoon (Habagat).

In a “24 Oras” report by Tina Panganiban-Perez, a house in San Marcelino, Zambales could be seen slowly giving way under the force of strong floodwaters.

The residents were able to evacuate before the house collapsed.

Also in San Marcelino, authorities had to temporarily suspend relief operations after floodwaters overtook a road.

The national highway in Cabangan, Zambales was also submerged, making it difficult for vehicles to pass.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Occidental Mindoro recommended declaring a state of calamity in the province. Damage was estimated at more than P2 billion.

After briefly weakening, the Southwest Monsoon intensified again amid a low pressure area east northeast of Itbayat, Batanes.

The first weeks of August saw persistent monsoon rains that triggered widespread flooding and landslides.

Together with cyclones Luis and Maymay, the Southwest Monsoon has killed at least 31 people. —Jean Mangaluz/VBL, GMA News